North Berwick RNLI launch after pan pan from a capsized sailing dinghy

A pan pan is a spoken word distress call, made on maritime VHF channel 16, indicating that an urgent situation has developed. It is used in situation that are not immediately life-threatening but where assistance is required to resolve the situation.

In this case an RS 800 sailing dinghy with two people on board had capsized onto a lobster pot’s marker buoy, wrapping a spinnaker sheet around it in the process. Despite significant efforts by the sailors to free themselves, they had been unable to self-rescue. Using their handheld VHF they made the decision to call for outside assistance. As no other vessels were in the area, Aberdeen Coastguard requested the launch of North Berwick RNLI Lifeboat.

Fraser Fulton, helm of North Berwick Lifeboat said: ‘When we arrived on scene you could tell that the tide was pushing really fast against the hull of the dinghy, with the force of the tide and the location of the tangled ropes it made freeing the dinghy very difficult.’

'Thankfully once the vessel was freed the sailors were able to make there way back to shore without further assistance. It’s also pleasing to hear that a local farmer had called 999 for the coastguard when he noticed the dinghy had been capsized for a while.’

‘This incident highlights how useful having a waterproofed means of calling for help can be. A VHF and short range radio licence is the gold standard, but a phone in a waterproof pouch will do if you are a less frequent water user.’

North Berwick’s Coastguard Rescue Team also attended to assist the sailors ashore.

The work of the RNLI is funded by voluntary donations. Over £190M was spent in 2024 by the RNLI to keep the lifesaving operation running with 9, 141 launches across the UK and Ireland saving 437 lives (including those saved by RNLI Lifeguards).

The North Berwick and Gullane Fundraising Branch are putting on a Silent Auction in aid of the RNLI on Saturday 13 September with a star lot of a stay in a New York Penthouse valued at £6000. Tickets are £27 including a welcome drink and meal at the Glen Golf Club, North Berwick 7-10pm.

Notes to editors

• In 2024 RNLI lifeboats from 238 stations across the UK and RoI launched 9,141 times saving 437 lives (alongside RNLI lifeguards), North Berwick launched 28 times, saving 7 lives.
• It cost £1,360 a year to train each crew member in the lifesaving skills they need to answer the call for help
• 97% of the RNLI’s frontline lifesavers are volunteers including over 5,700 lifeboat crew members.
• In 2024 it cost the RNLI £190M to run its charitable lifesaving service, 6 in 10 of the lifeboat launches were funded by generous supporters leaving the RNLI a gift in their will.

RNLI media contacts

Matthew Gibbons, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, North Berwick, [email protected]
Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
24 hour RNLI Central Press Office, 01202 336789 or email [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.